PAGE 4 October 29, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Residents asked to help stop
Real Estate Today
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
illegal sewer dumping
MAGNUM GUNS, AND MAGNUM HOMES
Four of us are stalking a group of pigs that have been tearing up my
Citrus County Utility officials are asking residents for help in stopping illegal
friend Dave's 35 acres 5 miles north of Inglis. I'm alone close to the back
dumping into sewer manholes and sewer lift stations. Residents whose homes are on sewer
fence which was the Ross Hammock preserve (Now Progress Energy land). It
systems have a good reason to do so, they said, because such dumping can result in sewer
is starting to get dark as two pigs come out of the nearby swamp, and start
system backups in area homes.
rooting on the other side of a thicket.
Citrus County Utilities has recently experienced illegal dumping into its sewer
After 20 mins, one of the pigs starts shaking the bushes coming right
manholes and lift stations particularly in the Chassahowitzka and Homosassa neighbor-
at me. It is going to be a 75 foot shot, so I put down my scoped rifle which any
hoods. Septic tank service trucks have backed up to a manhole or lift station, pulled off the
hunter knows is useless in close quarter shooting, and pull out my S&W model 29, six inch
lid and discharged the contents of the tanker truck into the system. Citrus County Adminis-
barrel 44 magnum pistol. It is a nickel plated monster of a handgun, and I'm surprisingly
trator Anthony Schembri and County Water Resources Department Director Robert Knight
calm, as I get ready to shoot. Just as the guns sights settle on the shaking bushes, the piggy
emphasized that residents have a big stake in solving the illegal dumping.
sees me and bolts. I take a shot, then another at the running swine.
"We consider this a serious offense and a public health issue because it can jeop-
After hunting for over 35 years, I have been just schooled that pigs can go from
ardize the safety of our citizens," Schembri said. Knight echoed the seriousness of the
zero to running full speed in a blink of an eye. I miss both times, and it is oblivious that I
dumping situation. “Flow through your sewer lines could be jeopardized, and your health
have just used a gun that is more than I needed, plus I'm deaf from the noise this brute elicits.
and safety could be at risk as a result.” Normally, the flow in a wastewater system is over 99
I vow to use my 357 handgun next time which has a much less kick, and can be fired at
percent water. In addition to water from toilets, water from showers, baths, washing ma-
running game with much more confidence. In the housing industry, statistics have showed a
chines, sinks, dishwashers, and other mostly-water sources also discharge into the central
recent trend for buyers to realize that they may not need that 4 bedroom, 2,500 sq ft (Mag-
wastewater system. That's why it is usually called a wastewater system rather than a sewage
num) home with $50,000. Worth of upgrades. More buyers are realizing that a 1,300 sq ft
system.
home will do just as good for a starter home. It may be that hunting a pig with too much of a
When a septic tank truck extracts the contents of a septic tank, a large percentage
gun, is just as unnecessary as buyers that "hunt" for a larger house than they really need. For
of the matter removed is solids. The concentration of solids can be thousands of times that
you beginner house hunters, I suggest that you consider buying a small cozy home with a
of the normal flow in a wastewater system. When this is dumped into the lines of a waste-
low mortgage payment to start with, then move up to the (Magnum) home later on.
water system, it can cause slower flows and even blockages, which affects residents. Un-
As far as the pigs, don't worry, I got one with the 357 this past Saturday. My wife
less the illegal dumping is reported, the earliest that the utility company will usually know
Vicki loves fresh pork, and it was delicious. Another word for my royal readers, with the
there is a problem is when customers complain of sewage backing up into their homes,
upcoming election, you should know how any potential candidate stands on gun ownership
which is too late to avoid such an unwanted circumstance.
for concerned citizens before you vote.
Dumping from a septic tank truck constitutes an illegal discharge into a system.
I'll see you around "The Campus". Darryl & Vicki Diamond, and Shirley a. Dodge
Under county code, this is a violation punishable by a fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days
are "The Diamond Team" We are the professionals at Diamond Investments Inc. who are
in jail. Schembri asked residents to help county officials stop the illegal dumping. "If you
available 7 days a week for all of your professional real estate needs at 352-447-4442.
witness or even suspect illegal dumping into a wastewater system, call your local utility
14 u.s. 19 N. (S.R. 55) • Inglis, FL
company." If the dumping involves Citrus County utilities, contact Bernadine Flood at 527-
7648.
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